Winter 99/Spring 00 Course Descriptions
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Astronomy (ASTR)  Dept Info - College Info

ASTR 101L Astronomy Laboratory (1) Projects, telescope observing, planetarium work, discussions. Lab work includes frequent mathematical calculations using basic algebra.

ASTR 106 Survey of the Solar System (3) I II 3R, 3L. P, MATH 110. (Identical with PTYS 106, which is home).

ASTR 109L Exploration and Discovery in Planetary Science (1) I II P, or CR, can be taken with PTYS 106 or PTYS 107. (Identical with PTYS 109L, which is home).

ASTR 191 Preceptorship (1-5) [Rpt./ 5 units] I II Preceptors assist as part of a teaching team with the professor and graduate teaching assistant.

ASTR 201 Cosmology (3) I Extragalactic astronomy and cosmology are among the fastest developing fields in astronomy. This course presents cosmology as a modern, quantitative science. It describes what we know about galaxies, the large scale structure of the universe and the beginnings and evolution of the Universe. We know quite a bit, assume a lot and have a great deal to learn. The course critically examines our picture of the universe using lectures, a hands-on project, and discussion groups. P, two courses from Tier One, Natural Sciences (NATS 101, 102, 104). Approved as Tier Two - Natural Sciences.

ASTR 202 Life in the Universe (3) I II The main goal for students in this course is to have fun learning about the possibilities for life in the Universe and, in the process, gain an appreciation for the methods used in science. To achieve this goal, we will study such seemingly diverse topics as the origin of the Universe, heavy element production, the formation of stars and planets, the nature of planets and their atmospheres, basic chemistry, geological and atmospheric evolution, biological evolution, cultural and technological evolution, interstellar travel, and communication techniques. P, two courses from Tier One, Natural Sciences (NATS 101, 102, 104). Approved as Tier Two - Natural Sciences.

ASTR 205 Computational Physics (3) I II P, PHYS 142 or PHYS 152. (Identical with PHYS 205, which is home).

ASTR 206 Our Golden Age of Planetary Exploration (3) I II P, two courses from Tier One, Natural Sciences (NATS 101, 102, 104). (Identical with PTYS 206, which is home). Approved as Tier Two - Natural Sciences.

ASTR 250 Fundamentals of Astronomy (3) I An introductory course in astronomy and astrophysics, aimed mainly at freshman astronomy majors and science majors from other departments. The class covers most aspects of astronomy, including stars, galaxies, cosmology and the solar system, but with a more mathematical treatment than in the 100-level Natural Science classes. The course also emphasizes hands-on activities using astronomical observations and scientific models, and applying mathematical and physical principles to astronomical problems. Temporary course taught in Spring 2000.

ASTR 296A Topics in Astronomical Research (1) II GRD P, ASTR 100 or equivalent.

ASTR 299 Independent Study (1-3) [Rpt./] I II

ASTR 299H Honors Independent Study (1-3) [Rpt./]

ASTR 300A Astronomy and Astrophysics (3) I A quantitative approach to astronomy and astrophysics. P, MATH 254; PHYS 251 and PHYS 252 or PHYS 241 and PHYS 242. ASTR 300A is prerequisite to ASTR 300B.

ASTR 300B Astronomy and Astrophysics (3) II A quantitative approach to astronomy and astrophysics. P, Student must consult instructor prior to enrolling. ASTR 300A is prerequisite to ASTR 300B.

ASTR 302 Introduction to Observational Astronomy (3) II Optical and radio detectors; observing preparation, data acquisition and reduction, data analysis. Observing at optical and radio wavelengths. Astrophysical applications of radio data and optical imaging. Computer software and computer-code writing to reduce astronomical data and to solve astronomical problems. Out-of-class telescope sessions are required. 2R, 3L. P, PHYS 205 and PHYS 152 or PHYS 142; MATH 125.

ASTR 320 Philosophy and Historical Astronomical Thought (3) II Historical development of astronomical concepts and the scientific method; cosmological concepts from ancient times to the present; controversies in astronomy in the recent past and at present.

ASTR 396H Honors Proseminar (3) I II Honors proseminar offered every third semester.

ASTR 399 Independent Study (1-3) I II

ASTR 399H Honors Independent Study (1-3) [Rpt./] I II

ASTR 400A Theoretical Astrophysics (3) I Stars, interstellar matter, galaxies, radio sources, cosmology. Writing Emphasis Course. P, MATH 254, 6 units of upper-division physics.

ASTR 400B Theoretical Astrophysics (3) II Stars, interstellar matter, galaxies, radio sources, cosmology. P, MATH 254, 6 units upper-division physics.

ASTR 403 Physics of the Solar System (3) II P, PHYS 142 or PHYS 251. (Identical with PTYS 403, which is home). May be convened with ASTR 503.

ASTR 418 Modern Astronomical Instrumentation and Techniques (3) I Radiant energy; signals and noise; detectors and techniques for imaging, photometry, polarimetry and spectroscopy. Examples from stellar and planetary astronomy in the x-ray, optical, infrared and radio. (Identical with PTYS 418). May be convened with ASTR 518.

ASTR 498 Senior Capstone (1-3) I II

ASTR 498H Honors Thesis (3) [Rpt./ 2] I II

ASTR 499 Independent Study (1-5) [Rpt./]

ASTR 499H Honors Independent Study (3) [Rpt./] I II

ASTR 502 Astronomical Instrumentation Project (3) I Design, construction, and testing of an astronomical instrument chosen by each student under the guidance and supervision of the instructor. Regular class sessions are devoted to discussing techniques and reporting progress and problems.

ASTR 503 Physics of the Solar System (3) II (Identical with PTYS 503, which is home). May be convened with ASTR 403.

ASTR 515 Interstellar Medium (3) II Derivation of physical conditions from spectral data. Ionized, atomic and molecular clouds, interstellar dust and magnetic fields. Ionization equilibrium, heating and cooling, supernova shocks, dust and protostellar evolution.

ASTR 518 Modern Astronomical Instrumentation and Techniques (3) I For a description of course topics see ASTR 418. Graduate-level requirements include an in-depth research paper. (Identical with PTYS 518). May be convened with ASTR 418.

ASTR 522 Atomic and Molecular Astrophysics (3) I Interpretation of astronomical spectra: basic aspects of atomic and molecular spectra and processes that enable one to infer physical conditions in astronomical environments from analysis of their electromagnetic spectra. Familiarity with basic quantum mechanics is assumed.

ASTR 535 Stellar Structure (3) II Equations of stellar structure, virial theory, energy transport, equations of state, opacities, nuclear reactions, stellar models, evolution of low and high mass stars, observational tests, rotation and magnetic fields, binary evolution.

ASTR 540 Structure and Dynamics of Galaxies (3) I Observational properties of galaxies; structure, kinematics, star and gas content. Structure of our own galaxy. Dynamics of stellar systems: equilibria, instabilities, internally and externally driven evolution.

ASTR 541 Extragalactic Astronomy and Cosmology (3) II The structure, origin and evolution of the physical universe from theory and observations of systems outside our own galaxy. Relativistic cosmology; galaxy evolution and clustering; active galaxies and quasars; the microwave background; galaxy formation; the hot big bang; and physics of the early universe. P, ASTR 540.

ASTR 545 Stellar Atmosphere (3) I Radiative transfer, gray atmosphere, opacity, line formation, non-LTE, curves of growth, stellar hydrodynamics, planetary applications. (Identical with PTYS 545).

ASTR 553 Solar System Dynamics (3) II P, MATH 254, PHYS 422 or consult department before enrolling. (Identical with PTYS 553, which is home).

ASTR 555 Remote Sensing of Planetary Surfaces (3) II (Identical with PTYS 555, which is home).

ASTR 556 Electrodynamics of Conducting Fluids and Plasmas (3) II P, PHYS 321, PHYS 331, PHYS 332. (Identical with PTYS 556, which is home).

ASTR 571 General Relativity and Cosmology (3) I II General relativity with application to celestial mechanics, stellar structure, gravitational radiation, black holes, gravitational lensing and cosmology. (Identical with PHYS 571).

ASTR 582 High Energy Astrophysics (3) II Radiation mechanisms, synchrotron radiation, charged particle acceleration, pulsars, black holes, accretion disks, X-ray binaries, gamma-ray sources, radio galaxies, active galactic nuclei. (Identical with PHYS 582, PTYS 582).

ASTR 587 Nuclear Astrophysics (3) I A survey of the origin of the elements in stars and the Big Bang. Topics include supernovae and stellar evolution, abundances in meteorites, metal-poor stars, and high-redshift systems, and the nature of the first stars. (Identical with GEOS 587, PHYS 587, PTYS 587).

ASTR 589 Topics in Theoretical Astrophysics (3) [Rpt./ 1] I (Identical with PHYS 589, which is home).

ASTR 591A Preceptorship in Astronomy (1-9) [Rpt./ 9 units] Preceptors assist as part of a teaching team with the professor and graduate teaching assistant.

ASTR 596B Methods in Computational Astrophysics (3) II (Identical with PHYS 596B).

ASTR 599 Independent Study (1-5) [Rpt./]

ASTR 699 Independent Study (1-5) [Rpt./]

ASTR 900 Research (1-8) [Rpt./]

ASTR 910 Thesis (2-4) [Rpt./]

ASTR 920 Dissertation (1-9) [Rpt./]

ASTR 930 Supplementary Registration (1-9) [Rpt./]


Page last updated:  May 20, 2013


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